Working from home ... sorta

So, with the Qs approaching like a freight train (or maybe a supersonic jet), I decided to work from home today in hopes of actually accomplishing something. I have to go in late in the afternoon for a seminar and to see if my fish laid eggs (yes, my life revolves around fish having sex). But I had hoped to get lots done at home first.

But, I had to run some errands this morning because normally I am at school from 7am until at least 5pm, so places that have "normal" hours never get a visit from me. With the opportunity to go many places, I went to the bank (to desposit the check I have been waiting for which FINALLY came) and the post office (to FINALLY get stamps -- Gorgeous, sorry your birthday card is now 2 weeks late! I kept forgetting to get stamps!!). Then, of course, the grocery store is right there, so I stopped in to pick up some staples (e.g., diet coke).

I should mention that day-time grocery store customers are very polite. I sneezed a few times and 4 different people said "bless you". And a lady gave me a coupon (for cat food, so I didn't use it, but still, it was a nice gesture). And a guy (that did not work at the store) took my cart when I was done and put it in the coral. Very nice all around. I usually shop on Saturdays when the store is CRAZY or at 10pm, when the store is DEAD. I am going to try to shop on weekdays more often.

But I digress ...

So, after my productive (yet not productive enough) morning, it's time to hit it hard and get some work done.

For a couple of hours ...

Money ... that's what I want.

The best things in life are free.

I firmly believe that.

Unfortunately, some of the "less than best" things in life cost money.

In case you haven't guessed, I spent the start of my morning in the financial assistance office (why is financial "aid" no longer PC?). Many graduate students get loans during their pursuit of higher education. But I, as always, tend to make things more difficult for myself.

Like I turned in the application late. Without W2s. Then I forgot that at the beginning of 2005, I wasn't actually here (despite the sense of permanance at my current university), so I had to get a second W2. And the financial assistance office refuses to understand that it is impossible for me to be living in Buffalo, NY and going to school in PA, so they consistently send my mail to my parents' house, then my poor mother has to send it back to me in PA. So, the relatively easy process of getting a student loan has taken months (hello -- the semester is almost OVER!). Sigh. I hope they get it right this time and I actually see a check before Christmas.

Not that I want anyone to think I am desperate for money. I get paid enough as a teaching assistant to get by. But there are a few things I would like money for this semester that are just out of my current financial reach.
For example:
~ fixing the brakes on my car so that the grinding metal noise stops
~ paying off some credit card debt (APR > 20%, as opposed to student loan of 0)
~ buying some plane tickets to Costa Rica

Now, I know the last one seems a bit frivolous. But, the Costa Rican plane tickets are not for a "Grad Students Gone Wild" Spring Break. The trip will actually be for some field work on the fish that I study here in the lab in PA. I really like the work that I am doing studying these fish and their behavior. But every good behavioral scientists knows that some field work to help support the ideas of laboratory work is not only a good idea but necessary for a great dissertation.

So, please keep your fingers crossed for me as I await a check!